Chicago Bears: 5 Bold predictions for 2019 pre-training camp
3. The pass rush will be even better than last season
Speaking of linebackers who played without training camp or preseason work, let’s talk about Khalil Mack. He had a contract squabble with the Oakland Raiders and held out until he got a new deal. The Raiders called his bluff and as the preseason wore on it looked like Mack was true to his word. Finally, the Raiders put him on the block.
Not many expected the Chicago Bears to be in on Mack, but almost from the beginning, Ryan Pace was in communication with the Raiders. When the Raiders told the Bears to make an offer, Chicago pounced on the situation. They gave up a mountain of picks, then negotiated a megadeal to make Mack the highest-paid defender in the NFL. All parties agreed, and Mack came to the Windy City.
That trade changed the landscape of not only the NFC North but also the NFC in general. Mack’s intensity put a charge into the Bears and the defense became the most dominant unit in the league.
This year, Mack has a full offseason of training. He isn’t resting on his laurels, however. He’s chasing greatness so he won’t have a letdown.
Leonard Floyd is in a special situation. He has crazy athleticism and quickness. That’s why the Bears moved up in the first round to grab him. They expected him to use that athleticism to wreak havoc in the backfield. While he’s shown some promise, injuries kept him from fulfilling his full potential. He missed 10 games in his first two seasons, and even though he played in all 16 games last season, he spent half of it with a broken hand.
Floyd’s best season in terms of sacks came as a rookie when he had seven sacks. In his next two seasons, though, he combined for just 8.5 sacks. Now he’s up for a new contract and he needs to show that he deserves an extension. The Bears guaranteed Floyd’s fifth-year option, but that’s only in case of an injury. If he wants a new contract, 2019 is an important year.
Floyd spent this offseason without dealing with any injury. He worked on his body and bulked up. He should be better prepared for the vigors of the NFL season.
Even though the Bears lost Vic Fangio, they replaced him with Chuck Pagano. Pagano brings a more aggressive system with him so I expect Mack and Floyd to be the beneficiaries. Mack will see a lot of double-teams so Floyd needs to take advantage of that. If he makes teams decide to double him, Mack becomes even greater. It becomes a “pick your poison” for the opposition.
The Mack-Floyd combination should cause opposing teams a lot of headaches in 2019.
Prediction: Mack – 73 tackles (15 for loss), 18.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles; Floyd – 58 tackles (10 for loss), 11.5 sacks, 1 interception